Pius John Kamber, Sr.

We said goodbye to our beloved patriarch Pius John Kamber Sr., born Aug. 14, 1924, passed July 16, 2024, in his home of 65 years in Davis. We celebrate his very nearly 100 years of life remembering him and his legacy with love and many fond memories.

 Pius was born to Herman and Marie Kamber in Solothurn, Switzerland, and was the seventh of 12 children.

 In 1942, when serving as a combat engineer in the Swiss army he received serious injuries due to an explosion. In the hospital he met his future wife, Anna, a nurse trained in brain injuries. They married on May 7, 1949.

  Pius went on to earn an advanced degree in food chemistry in Switzerland

 In October 1958 he and Anna made a life-altering decision to immigrate to Davis when Professor Mrak offered him position at UC Davis food science department. Upon their arrival they studied hard, obtaining American citizenship of which he was very proud.

 He had a full rich life of hard work, prayer and celebrations. After retirement from UCD he and Anna traveled the world, befriending all, including Shirley Temple Black, as well as acting as temporary Swiss consul for Hawaii.

 He became a consultant for many companies abroad and locally for Columbus Salami. Pius was known far and wide in Davis with his loyal Chihuahua dog, Sami, riding his bright red electric scooter.

 Pius befriended everyone he met. He was an extremely knowledgeable and devout Catholic his entire life. He read voraciously had many hobbies and excelled in all. He had a photogenic memory and we all loved his story telling and his gourmet cooking.

 Other than his family, his religion was the one thing that drove him. He was so knowledgeable about the Catholic church that lay and clergy would come to him for counsel.

 Pius was preceded in death by the love of his life, Anna, passed 2010, and his son, Robert, passed 2018.

 He is survived by his brother Martin Kamber of Switzerland; sons Pius Jr. (wife Debbie) and Max (wife Debbie); and daughter Brigitte (husband, Brian); grandchildren DeAnna, DaNae’ (husband Cory), Annalise, Lauren and Alex; great-grandson Elijah; and great-granddaughters, Indie and Remy.

  There will be a vigil with a Rosary for Pius at Smith Funeral Home on July 25, at 6 p.m. A funeral service will be held at James Catholic Church Friday, July 26, 2024 at 10 a.m. with a reception to follow.

 His family would like to extend a grateful thank you to the staff of Sutter/Yolo Hospice for their excellent service and care.